Hibernian’s win at Ibrox gives early impetus to Neil Lennon’s claim that his players can finish in or around the top three, while Aberdeen’s demonstration of grit in Dingwall, where they came from behind to beat Ross County, is evidence of the resolve that saw them to second place last time out. And a former England manager – Steve McLaren, who is set to talk with the Tynecastle board this week – could be in charge of Hearts away to Rangers on Saturday.

During the brief and ill-starred reign of Ian Cathro, Hearts were frequently guilty of football without menace. Daly has supervised a more direct approach more suitable for forwards like Esmael Goncalves and summer signing, Kyle Lafferty. These two were faced by two of Kilmarnock’s close-season acquisitions, Gordon Greer and Kirk Broadfoot.

After only five minutes the Kilmarnock pair produced a Red Sea impersonation to leave a wide gap which Goncalves romped through to beat Jamie MacDonald with a cool finish. That was the single goal of the afternoon but only because MacDonald showed his centre backs how to make a decisive interception when Goncalves again romped through the middle only to be blocked by the goalkeeper who had bolted 22 yards off his line to deal with the menace.

After the break Goncalves and Lafferty both had unchecked chances but the Portuguese striker placed his straight into MacDonald’s hands and his Northern Irish colleague provoked scorn amongst the Hearts support by missing the ball with a wild swipe. The spectacle then moved from kicking air to pulling hair when Goncalves clashed with Broadfoot and had his barnet tugged as the pair went to ground.

Broadfoot was sent off for his tonsorial assault and Goncalves dismissed for his reaction. Kilmarnock will now be without the ex-Rangers defender when they host Celtic at the weekend and it bodes ill for the Ayrshire men that, having conceded early against Hearts, they will face a Hoops side known for coming out of the blocks at full pace.

“You can’t start like that against anyone. You don’t want to concede an early goal at home,” said Chris Burke, the Kimarnock winger. “It was disappointing because we were doing well until that moment, but he way we have started will not define our season.”

Hearts’ next fixture is against the other half of the Old Firm at Ibrox, where their city rivals departed with bragging rights - and a helping of seemingly inevitable controversy – after a 3-2 win in a contest which saw the Rangers backroom team complain to the police about Neil Lennon and to the media about referee John Beaton.

Both the home and Hibs supports were in fervent mood but the contest seemed to be moving in Rangers’ favour after Alfredo Morales’ third minute headed opener and a Kenny Miller effort which came off the post. Simon Murray, however, equalised with Hibs’ first attempt on goal, prompting Lennon – a firm favourite for excoriation amongst the Rangers faithful – to direct an arm-pumping gesture towards them, after which Helder Baptista, the Ibrox assistant manager, spoke to the nearest police officer.

The atmosphere became even more rancorous when the Rangers midfielder, Ryan Jack, was sent off for a square-up with Anthony Stokes. Hibs moved into a 3-1 lead through an own goal by James Tavernier and a fine half-volley from Vykintas Slivka. Tavernier reduced the deficit with a late goal but Rangers could get no more from the contest.

Afterwards, Caixinha was critical of the referee, who booked Dylan McGeouch for his part in the Jack/Stokes melee but allowed the Hibs man to go unpunished for a bad challenge on Eduardo Herrera. The Rangers coach was less forthcoming about his team’s persistent defensive errors.

Caixinha had a plausible case for grievance at the weekend, but his rap sheet now includes a historically severe battering at home by Celtic, a home loss to Aberdeen, dismissal from Europe by the infinitesimal Proges Niederkorn and defeat by newly promoted Hibs. Even at this nascent stage of the season, a setback against Hearts would surely prompt mutinous expression amongst the Rangers support.